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Israel’s 10 Best Gas Station Eateries

by Touchpoint Israel
Israel’s 10 Best Gas Station Eateries

The filling-station restaurant is an all too familiar phenomenon in Israel. Along with chain eateries such as Aroma and Burger Ranch, you’ll find quirky independent diners and fancy cuisine mere footsteps from the gas pumps. While they may not seem promising from the outside, inside is a different story, and you can’t beat the convenience of it all.

Here are 10 gas station eateries that are a must-try while traveling on the roads of the Holy Land!

1. Elvis American Diner, Neve Ilan (02) 534-1275

Photo by Lev Goldenberg

Photo by Lev Goldenberg

This eatery, long known as the Elvis Inn, is next to the gas station at the Neve Ilan exit outside Abu Ghosh, just west of Jerusalem. It’s easy to find thanks to the 16-foot statue of Elvis visible from the highway. Open seven days a week, the 1950s-style diner serves American foods like burgers and fries, as well as Israeli standards such as hummus. Elvis collector Uri Yoeli established it in the mid-1970s to house his mountain of memorabilia and photos. Over the years, the Elvis Inn has been visited by celebrities including Michael Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, Joe Cocker, and Sting.

2. Agenda Café Bar and Sushi, Caesarea (0)4-626-2092
sushi-at-agenda-is-considered-top-notch-photo-via-facebook

Just because this eatery is situated beside a gas station does not mean the food at Agenda is unsophisticated. In fact, the kosher sushi bar at the Caesarea interchange is known for its fine Japanese cuisine. But if sushi, sashimi, or nigari aren’t your cup of tea, ask for the restaurant’s Italian menu instead.

3. HaBokrim (The Cowboys) Steakhouse, Haifa (0)4-850-1111
a-touch-of-the-american-wild-west-at-a-haifa-gas-station-photo-via-facebook

Founded in 1996 by Hana and Yossi Tochner after a trip to Arizona, HaBokrim is a culinary spot designed to evoke the feel of the 19th century American Gold Rush. Located at the gas station opposite the Haifa mall and Convention Center, HaBokrim was claimed to be the “best gas station restaurant ever” by TripAdvisor reviewers.

4. Ahavat Hayam (Love of the Sea) Restaurant, Jerusalem (0)2-623-6767

Photo: Tasted Israel

Photo: Tasted Israel

Despite its unlikely location, above a gas station in a landlocked city , this fancy fish restaurant opposite Sacher Park has earned a reputation since 1999 for its presentation of fresh kosher Israeli seafood accompanied by warm breads and a vast array of table salads. Tropical fish swim around in aquariums encased in the floor and walls.

5. Muza Restaurant and Sports Bar, Arad (0)8-997-5555

Photo: Courtesy

Photo: Courtesy

Located at the gas station along Route 31 on the way to the Dead Sea and Eilat, Muza offers pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, grilled meats, and Asian cuisines. The décor is strictly sports pub, as the walls and ceiling are decorated with the banners of soccer clubs from all over the world. Naturally, soccer matches are screened live at Muza, and the place is also a venue for live shows by some of Israel’s top musicians.

6. The Original Pancake House, Herzliya (0)9-9514215
pile-pancakes-on-your-plate-next-to-the-gas-station-in-herzliya-photo-via-groupon-co_-il_

If you’re craving flapjacks with an overwhelming choice of toppings and sides, head to the gas station at the HaSira Interchange just south of Herzliya. Open any hour of the day or night, the Original Pancake House is something of an Israeli icon. It was founded in Beit Yannai in 1965 and relocated to the Herzliya junction in 2003.

7. Katzeh Hanachal (River’s Edge), Nof Ginosar (0)4-671-7776
the-lebanese-restaurant-is-next-to-a-gas-station-outside-kibbutz-ginosar-in-the-galilee-photo-via-tapuz-co_-il_

Katzeh Hanachal has been operating next to the gas station at the entrance to Kibbutz Ginosar for the past 14 years, offering a fusion of Galilean dishes and Arab-Lebanese cuisine, in addition to barbecue and seafood.

8. Nimer Restaurant, Golani Junction (0)4-677-9377

Photo by Odin Shadmi

Photo by Odin Shadmi

Located a bit south of Mitzpeh Netofa at the junction’s Paz gas station, this eatery is well known for its grilled meats and abundant Middle Eastern salads.

9. Café Buono, Kadima-Tzoran (0)9-891-9490

Photo by Rosie Niv

Photo by Rosie Niv

You may be parked at an Israeli gas station on Route 4 in central Israel, but if you enter Café Buono, you will enjoy a taste of Italy .The premium imported Italian coffee, as well as salads, pizzas, pastas, meat, and fish are to die for. The large eatery has a terrace for outdoor dining.

10. Niro Cucina Italiana, Ma’ayan Baruch Junction, Kiryat Shemona 1-700-555-103

Photo by Moran Koren Goodman

Photo by Moran Koren Goodman

This strictly kosher family-owned restaurant at the gas station on Route 99 in the Upper Galilee is a favorite among Israel’s growing vegetarian and vegan crowd. Along with gourmet pizzas made with a range of cheeses such as halloumi, blue and Sainte Maure, Niro also offers vegan, whole-wheat, and gluten-free varieties as well as pastas, salads, and desserts to stay or go.

Originally posted at Israel21C.

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